The differences in nonverbal communication between the american and muslim culture

Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of non-verbal language: Basically, it is one of the key aspects of communication and especially important in a high-context culture. It has multiple functions: Used to repeat the verbal message e. Often used to accent a verbal message.

Often complement the verbal message but also may contradict.

Regulate interactions non-verbal cues covey when the other person should speak or not speak. May substitute for the verbal message especially if it is blocked by noise, interruption, etc — i. Note the implications of the proverb: Non-verbal communication is especially significant in intercultural situations. Probably non-verbal differences account for typical difficulties in communicating. Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication General Appearance and Dress All cultures are concerned for how they look and make judgements based on looks and dress.

Non-verbal Communication in Different Cultures

Americans, for instance, appear almost obsessed with dress and personal attractiveness. Consider differing cultural standards on what is attractive in dress and on what constitutes modesty. Note ways dress is used as a sign of status? Body Movement We send information on attitude toward person facing or leaning towards anotheremotional statue tapping fingers, jiggling coinsand desire to control the environment moving towards or away from a person.

More than 700,000 possible motions we can make — so impossible to categorize them all! But just need to be aware the body movement and position is a key ingredient in sending messages. Consider the following actions and note cultural differences: Bowing not done, criticized, or affected in US; shows rank in Japan Slouching rude in most Northern European areas Hands in pocket disrespectful in Turkey Sitting with legs crossed offensive in Ghana, Turkey Showing soles of feet.

Gestures Impossible to catalog them all. But need to recognize: In addition, amount of gesturing varies from culture to culture. Some cultures are animated; other restrained. Restrained cultures often feel animated cultures lack manners and overall restraint. Animated cultures often feel restrained cultures lack emotion or interest.

Even simple things like using hands to point and count differ. US with index finger; Germany with little finger; Japanese with entire hand in fact most Asians consider pointing with index finger to be rude Counting: Facial Expressions While some say that facial expressions are identical, meaning attached to them differs. Majority opinion is that these do have similar meanings world-wide with respect to smiling, crying, or showing anger, sorrow, or disgust.

However, the intensity varies from culture to culture. Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as possible.

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Too much smiling is viewed in as a sign of shallowness. Women smile more than men. Western cultures — see direct eye to eye contact as positive advise children to look a person in the eyes. This is a possible cause for some sense of unease between races in US. A prolonged gaze is often seen as a sign of sexual interest. Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact. Why do we touch, where do we touch, and what meanings do we assign when someone else touches us?

An African-American male goes into a convenience store recently taken over by new Korean immigrants. He is upset when his change is put down on the counter in front of him. What is the problem? But the African-American sees this as another example of discrimination not touching him because he is black. Touch is culturally determined! But each culture has a clear concept of what parts of the body one may not touch. Most African Americans touch on greeting but are annoyed if touched on the head good boy, good girl overtones.

To do so is a social insult.

Types of Nonverbal Cues

Left hand is for toilet functions. But consider such touching including hand holding, hugs between same-sex to be appropriate. Cultures EnglishGerman, Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese with high emotional restraint concepts have little public touch; those which encourage emotion Latino, Middle-East, Jewish accept frequent touches. Many other cultures consider natural body odors as normal Arabic.